AB1648 THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES BY PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: A CROSS SECTIONAL MULTICENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: D. Jerome, T. Barnetche, A. Charlotte, J. Bernard, M. Vandersmissen, C. Lukas, A. Tournadre, P. Vergne-Salle, J. Landrin, A. Ruyssen-Witrand
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Digital technologies are commonly used by most patients, and the concept of e-health emerged some years ago. These tools, which include specific medical application can deliver prevention messages, allow patients to access information about their condition or treatments, and can be used in everyday life. As axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is a chronic disease, such digital tools could be useful. The aim of the study was to assess digital technologies use in an AxSpA population. <h3>Objectives</h3> The primary objective was to describe the use of digital technologies in patients with AxSpA treated bDMARDs. A secondary objective was to identify the factors associated with digital technology use. <h3>Methods</h3> We conducted a prospective, cross sectional, observational study in 5 departments of rheumatology at French university hospitals. Patients were recruited from June 2021 to June 2022. Data were collected using questionnaires filled by the patient during follow-up. Medical information was collected by rheumatologists. <h3>Results</h3> 500 patients were included (age 49,5 ± 13,8 years, 47% women, 51% with radiograph sacro-iliitis, 71% with HLA-B27. Mean disease activity evaluated with BASDAI was 3,5 (SD ± 2,10). 429 (86%) received TNF inhibitor. 202 patients used digital technologies for their health (40%), 59 (30%) used a medical application for other chronic disease, and 54 (10,8%) had a specific application for spondyloarthritis (or rheumatic inflammatory disease). 39% used cellphone or sport-application for physical activity. Among users of digital technologies for AxSpA, most patients searched for information concerning their disease (65%) or treatment (54%). In multivariate analysis, level of study, radiograph sacro-iliitis (OR: 1,53 [1,50-2,03] p&lt;0,01), and being membership of patient association (OR: 7,06 [1,90-26,19] p&lt;0,01), were still associated with the use of digital technologies. Patient education program (OR: 3,00 [1,61-5,60] p&lt;0,01) remained associated with the use of specific applications, and men used them less (OR: 0,34 [0,18-0,67 p&lt;0,01). Only 54 patients had at least one teleconsultation with their rheumatologist during follow-up. Among them, 17 (32%) thought that teleconsultation was sufficient, as compared with a face-to-face visit. <h3>Conclusion</h3> To date, a significant proportion of patients use digital technologies for their AxSpA, but few a specific application for their rheumatism. The use of medical application is strongly associated with patient education program. Reliable and validated tools should be promoted by rheumatologists. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> NIL. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> DESPRES Jerome: None declared, Thomas Barnetche Paid instructor for: Biogen, AMORY Charlotte: None declared, Jessika BERNARD: None declared, Maxime Vandersmissen: None declared, Cédric Lukas Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, UCB., Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis and Roche-Chugai, Anne Tournadre Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche-Chugai, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Fresenius, Lilly, Novartis, Sanofi., Grant/research support from: Fresenius, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Pascale Vergne-Salle Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Fresenius, Grünenthal, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche Chugai, Sanofi, Novartis, Mylan, UCB, Lilly, Consultant of: Janssen, Abbvie, UCB, Justine LANDRIN: None declared, Adeline Ruyssen-Witrand Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Fresenius-Kabi, Galapagos, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Mylan, Nordic-Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche Chugai, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi Genzyme, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Mylan, Pfizer Inc.